In April, it’s expected that UFC figures like Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen will testify in a significant lawsuit.
The legal battle traces back to 2014 when former fighters, including Nate Quarry and Cung Le, launched a lawsuit against the UFC. Their allegation revolves around the claim that the UFC has operated as a de facto monopoly within MMA, leveraging its power unfairly.
This dominance was achieved through acquisitions of rival promotions like PRIDE and Strikeforce, which allegedly allowed the UFC to underpay its athletes, sometimes as little as 13% of revenue.
Comparatively, other sports organizations like Bellator, NFL, and NBA pay their athletes significantly more, ranging from 45% to over 50% of revenue. Despite a prolonged legal process over the last decade, progress accelerated last year when federal judge Richard F. Boulware certified the lawsuit as a class action.
Currently, the court date is set for April 15th, shortly after UFC 300, unless a settlement is reached beforehand, which seems improbable. If the fighters succeed in the lawsuit, the UFC, led by Dana White, could face a hefty payout of $1.6 billion to athletes under contract between 2010 and 2017.
However, there are fighters prepared to defend the UFC’s position. Notably, Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen, alongside managers and coaches like Ali Abdelaziz, Dan Lambert, and Jason House, are slated to testify in support of the company.
The list of fighters supporting the UFC includes Michael Bisping, who had a long and successful career with the organization, and Chael Sonnen, who made significant contributions during his tenure. Others like Donald Cerrone and Miesha Tate are also involved due to their respective careers within the UFC.
While the outcome remains uncertain, the involvement of key figures underscores the significance of this legal battle within the world of mixed martial arts.
